Research on Identity, Social Context, and Early Development - RISE Lab

As another academic year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to celebrate and thank the incredible graduate and undergraduate students who make our lab’s work possible.

This year, our team showed up with care, curiosity, creativity, and commitment. From research meetings and data collection to program facilitation, community partnerships, coding, writing, mentoring, and all the behind-the-scenes labor that keeps a lab moving, your contributions matter deeply. The work simply could not get done without you.

I also want to extend heartfelt gratitude to the girls, families, schools, and community partners who participated in and supported our programs this year. Thank you for trusting us, sharing your stories, making space for meaningful conversations, and helping us continue to learn how to better support girls during the pubertal transition.

Our lab’s work is grounded in the belief that girls’ voices, experiences, identities, and relationships matter. This year reminded me, again and again, that research is not just something we do. It is something we build together.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this academic year meaningful, productive, and full of possibility. 🌱

Girls are entering puberty earlier than in previous generations.
But earlier puberty is not only biological—it can also change how girls are perceived and treated.
In my new Psychology Today post, I explore why the social consequences of early puberty matter.

Read here:

Puberty So Young: Why the Social Consequences Matter Early puberty is becoming more common. Research shows it can change how girls are perceived, treated, and supported as they move through childhood.

Big News! Our Lab Has a New Name!

We’re proud to announce that the Adolescent Interpersonal Relationship Lab is now the RISE Lab — short for Research on Identity, Social Context, and Early Development.

Why the change? Because our new name better reflects our mission to produce research that is not only rigorous, but also relational, responsive, and rooted in community.

🌱 We center the lived experiences of Black girls and preteens of color—especially those navigating puberty “off-time”
🧠 We explore how identity, relationships, and systems of power shape mental health, education, and resilience
📚 We ground our work in Black Feminist, Womanist, and Intersectional theories, which help us understand how race, gender, adultification, and other systems of power combine to shape adolescent development—especially for Black girls.
🤝 And we partner with schools, caregivers, educators, and youth to co-create culturally responsive interventions that make a difference beyond the lab

At RISE Lab, we believe development is not just a matter of growth—it’s a movement. One that makes space for voice, identity, and justice—and helps young people take up space in their bodies, their stories, and their communities.

🗣️ Follow our work and learn more.

Op-Ed: When Schools Step Back Their DEI Programs, Communities Step In

Across the country, schools are rolling back—or eliminating entirely—their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
Read the full article by Dr. Carter on Psychology Today

When Schools Step Back Their DEI Programs, Communities Step In As schools cut DEI programs, Black girls face unique challenges. Community-based conversations can empower them and turn the dinner table into a space for support and connection.

Today marks a somber occasion, the 10th anniversary of the tragic shooting of Tamir Rice by a police officer in Cleveland, Ohio. The loss of Tamir, who was a 12-year-old boy holding a toy gun while playing in a park, serves as a painful reminder of the broader issues of systemic racism, police violence, and the urgent need for reform in our society. This tragic incident also highlights the challenges Black youth face navigating pubertal transition and captures the intersection of gender, race-ethnicity, and perceived pubertal timing among Black boys.

Tamir was a child full of potential, and his untimely death highlights a harsh reality: Black boys in America often do not have the same opportunities to thrive and grow as their peers. They deserve the chance to experience life fully, to have dreams, and to pursue them unapologetically. Every Black boy deserves to grow old, to reach milestones like graduation, to explore their passions, and to contribute positively to their communities.

As we remember Tamir today, we must also reflect on the ongoing struggles faced by Black youth and communities nationwide. It is essential to advocate for justice, accountability, and meaningful changes that ensure safety and equality for all. We honor Tamir's memory by committing to building a world where every child, regardless of their background, is given the opportunity to live long, fulfilled lives—far beyond the 12 years that Tamir was afforded. Let us work toward a future where no parent has to grieve the loss of a child due to violence and where every child is protected, valued, and given the chance to shine.

Children's literature plays a crucial role in shaping attitudes and beliefs about gender. The pubertal transition is a key period during which traditional gender expectations are reinforced, which can create social pressures on children to behave in ways that align with stereotypical male or female behavior.

Gender messages in girls' puberty books: A focus on parent representation Introduction This study provides an ethnographic lens to understand gender messages in girls' puberty books, focusing on the representation of parents in both text and images. Methods A content an...

Check out Dr. Carter's recent Op-ed. It sheds light on the harsh realities of adultification, exploring how early pubertal development exacerbates racial bias.

The Impact of Puberty on Racial Bias Against Black Children Early puberty in Black children can lead to adultification and racial bias. Urgent societal change is needed to combat this harmful treatment.

Dr. Carter just published this thought-provoking article about prioritizing children and tackling fat body marginalization. It's an important read that sheds light on some crucial issues. Check it out, and let's start a conversation about how we can make a positive impact in our community.

Prioritizing Children: Tackling Fat Body Marginalization Fostering inclusive diet culture to help kids overcome societal body size biases.

Are you interested in participating in a virtual research study? We need your help! We are looking for mothers and daughters willing to participate in a study on puberty and culture. Families will be compensated for their time. If you are interested, please
visit our study website:

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